Skirt marker



April 20, 1954 A. DRITZ 2,675,616

SKIRT MARKER Filed July 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ARTHUR 012/72 ATTORNEYS A. DRITZ SKIRT MARKER April 20, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 12, 1952 INVENTOR. AETI/l/Q DIP/7'2 W v A 7702MB:

A. DRITZ SKIRT MARKER April 20, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 12, 1952 INVENTOR. ARTHUR DE TZ ATTORNEXF Patented Apr. 20, 1 954 SKIRT MARKER Arthur Dritz, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to John Dritz & Sons, New York, N. Y., a partnership Application July 12, 1952, Serial No. 298,530

21 Claims.

The present invention relates to a skirt marker and in particular to one in which powdered marking material is adapted to be blown or otherwise impelled against a skirt or other fabric sheet in order to mark a given position thereon.

Skirt markers employing powdered marking material have been designed in the past but their use has been limited because of the difficulties involved in positioning the marking member close to the fabric and clamping the fabric in place so as to produce a well defined and accurately placed mark, while at the same time permitting the fabric to be moved past the marking device so that a new mark may be applied thereto. Devices of the instant type have their greatest use in the marking of skirt hems or the like while the skirt or other garment is being worn. The marker is placed on the floor or on some other suitable supporting surface and the wearer rotates intermittently with respect to the marker so that marks may be impressed around the entire periphery of the garment. It is, of course, most desirable that marking devices of the type under discussion should be capable of being manipulated and operated by the wearer of the garment herself, so that proper marking of the garment can be accomplished without outside help. Devices utilizing powdered marking material as made in the past have not permitted one-man operation of the device and at the same time gripped the fabric during marking and released it after marking. Indeed, those powder skirt markers which gripped the fabric at all during marking have been so complex and expensive and diflicult to operate as to be of negligible significance, particularly in the home dressmaking market.

The present invention involves an extremely simplified and inexpensive structure including a movable marking arm and an upright or other standard to which that arm is secured. The device for blowing the marking material onto the garment is carried by said arm and is movable with said arm between a preliminary position remote from the upright and an operative position close to the upright. When the arm and the marking material blower carried thereby are remote from the upright, the skirt or other garment may be positioned between that arm and the upright and freely moved therebetween. When the arm and the marking device carried thereby are placed in operative position close to the upright, and preferably so close as to clamp the skirt or other garment between itself and the upright, the blower is then in position to impel the marking material onto the fabric. As here disclosed it is 2 the nozzle of the blower which itself performs the clamping function.-

In order to move the arm between its preliminary and operative positions an elongated and preferably flexible member is secured thereto and extends upwardly a sufficient distance so that it can readily be grasped by the wearer of the garment while she maintains normal posture. This same elongated member is operatively connected to the marking material blower so that manipulation of the elongated member after it has first been manipulated to move the arm to operative position will cause the marking material to be blown or forced against the fabric sheet. The

- elongated member can then be moved to place the arm in preliminary position, thus releasing the fabric sheet. In this way a person, through the manipulation of the elongated member in a simple manner, can produce a series of marks all around the periphery of a skirt or other garment in a convenient and comfortable manner and without having to alter normal posture, thus ensuring that the marks will represent a uniform distance above the floor all the way around the garment.

It is sometimes preferred to mark by means of pins inserted through the garment instead of, or in addition to, marking by means of powdered material. To this end the nozzle of the blower which is adapted to clamp the sheet of fabric between itself and the upright has an edge directed toward the upright with a smaller radius of ourvature than the facing surface of the upright. As a result the clamped portion of the fabric sheet is puckered or bulged, thus facilitating the passage of a pin therethrough, the position of the pin being determined by the position of the nozzle.

Various embodiments of the instant invention are here disclosed, in some of which the elongated member attached to the arm and adapted to be manipulated by the wearer of the garment is constituted by a hollow flexible tube with a compressible bulb at the free end thereof, the other end of the tube communicating with the blower so that compression of the bulb will cause a powdered marking material to be forced out through the blower nozzle. In one of these embodiments the arm is moved between preliminary and operative positions by an initial pull on the tube, while in other of these embodiments the arm is moved from preliminary to operative position by an initial compression of the bulb, subsequent compression of the bulb causing the marking material to be ejected from the blower. In yet another embodiment the elongated member is constituted by a cable or other tension device, an initial pull on the cable moving the arm from preliminary to operative position and a subsequent and further pull on the cable actuating a suitable pressureproducing device and causing the marking material to be blown against the fabric sheet. These embodiments are but typical, and constitute evidence of the breadth of the instant invention.

To the accomplishment of the above, and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to the construction of a skirt marker as defined in the appended claims and as described in this specification, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention showing. the arm in preliminary position;

Fig. 2 is a similar but fragmentary view, show. ing the arm in operative position;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. Zand-shQWing the manner in which the fabric sheet is puckered as it is placed between the nozzle and upright;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 and showing the manner in which a pin, guided by the nozzle of the blower, may be passed through the fabric sheet for marking purposes;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view,

' taken from the right side of Fig. l and with the marking material blower removed;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of one marking material blower which may be employed;

Figs. 7 and 8 are front elevational views, partially broken away, showing the manner in which the skirt marker may be employed, Fig. 7 showing the arm in preliminary position and Fig. 8 showing the arm in operative position;

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view, partially in cross section, showing another embodiment of the present invention, with the arm in preliminary position;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the arm in operative position and before the marking material has been blown onto the fabric sheet;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10- but showing the position of the parts after the marking material has been blown onto the fabric sheet;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing a third embodiment of the present invention with the arm in preliminary position;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but showing the arm in operative position;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but showing a further embodiment of the present invention, the arm being in preliminary position;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 but with the arm in operative position and before the marking material has been blown onto the fabric sheet;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the valve arrangement in Fig. 15 showing the position which that valve assumes in Fig. 15; and

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16 but showing the position which the valve assumes while marking material is being blown onto the fabric sheet.

Having reference first to the embodiments of Figs. 1-6, the marker comprises a frame including a stand 2 adapted to rest upon the floor or other suitable supporting surface and from which an upright 4 in the form of a cylindrical rod of Wood, metal or the like extends in an upward direction. The surface of the upright 4 may be provided with a scale 6 (see Fig. 5) indicating the distance above the bottom of the base 2. The stand 2 and upright 4 may be removably secured together by means of set screw s.

A flexible metal bracket l0 encircles the upright 4 and has a pair of ears I2 adapted to be pulled toward one another by screw hi and wing nut i6, thus permitting the bracket 10 to be slid lengthwise along the upright 4 to any desired vertical position and then clamped in place. The bracket If! is provided with another pair of fingers it between which the arm 20 is pivotally mounted in an oifcentermanner on pin 21 so as to assume a position remote from and angularly related to the upright 4, as shown in Figs. 1 and '7, that position being hereinafter termed its preliminary position, and a position substantially parallel and close to the upright i, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, that position hereinafter being termed its operative position.

The arm 20 is in theform of a tube into the open upper end 22 of which'the pressure-actuated markingmaterial blower generally designated as is received, that member comprising a tubular storage container 26 in which a mass 28 of powdered marking material such as chalk is retained, the open upper end of the container 26 being closed by flanged cap 28 having a nozzle 30 protruding therefrom toward the upright d, that nozzle communicating with the interior of the container 26 by means of passage 32, the cap 28 also having an upwardly projecting nipple 3A which communicates with the interior of the container 2% by means of passage 35. "The nozzle 36 preferably projects from the arm 20 toward the upright 4 for a distance sufiicient so that the tip of the nozzle 30 will engage the upright 4 when the arm 20 is in its operative position. The thus engaged surface of the upright 4 is here shown as arcuate in shape, and the engaging nozzle tip surface 38 is also generally arcuate, but has a smaller radius of curvature than the engaged surface of the upright 4, by reason of which actual physical engagement is attained only at the corners 46 of the-nozzle tip;

Since the cap 28 is mounted within the open upper end of the container 26 so as to be rotatable about the axis thereof, the nozzle as can be oriented toward the upright 4, as shown in the drawings, and it can also be oriented away therefrom so that it can be used as a height indicator or as a powder marking device in such a manner as not to involve movement of the arm 29.

An elongated flexible tube 42 of rubber or the like has one end fitted over the nipple 3d, the free end of the tube 42 carrying a compressible bulb 44 of rubber or the like. The tube 42 extends upwardly a sufficient distance so that it may readily be grasped by the operator while in a standing position and while the marking device is resting on the floor.

The manner of use of this embodiment of the present invention is as follows: The wing nut 16 is loosened and the bracket it is slid longitudinally along the upright 4 until the nozzle tip 30, when the arm 20 is in operative position, is a predetermined distance above the floor, the scale 6 facilitating exact positioning of the arm 20 and nozzle 30 relative to the floor. The wing nut I6 is then tightened and the device is ready for use. With the arm 20 in preliminary position the operator, who as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 may be wearing a skirt it or similar garment, grasps the bulb 44 at the end of the tube 42 and stands so that the skirt 46 extends between the upright 4 and. the arm 20, as shown in Fig. 7.

She then lifts the bulb 44, tensioning the tube '42 and causing the arm 20 to pivot to its operative position. This clamps the skirt 46 between the nozzle 36 and the upright 4 and prevents shifting of the skirt 46 even if the position of the operator should vary. Moreover, this ensures that the nozzle orifice is accurately and closely positioned with. respect to the skirt 46. When marking by means of the powdered marking material 28 is desired, all that is necessary is to squeeze the bulb 44, this causing a jet of air under pressure to pass through the tube 42 and the passage 36 in the nipple 34 and into the container 26, where the air, rendered turbulent, picks up a quantity of the powdered marking material 28 and carries it out through the passage 32 in the nozzle 30, thus producing a well defined mark on the skirt 46 at the desired distance above the floor. The operator then lowers the bulb 44, and since the pin 2! is elf-center with respect to the arm 20, the arm 26 will by its own weight return to its preliminary position, thus releasing the skirt 46, which was previously clamped between the nozzle 39 and the upright 4, and permitting the operator to pivot slightly so as to present a new area of the skirt 45 for marking. The sequence of lifting the bulb 44, compressingit, lowering it, and shifting the position of the skirt 46 is repeated until the desired number of marks have been placed on the skirt 46. If marking by means of pins is desired, either instead or in addition to marking by means of powdered marking material, after the operator has lifted the bulb 44 and thus caused the skirt 45 to be clamped between the corners 40 of the nozzle 30 and the upright 4, she can then, while retaining the arm 20 in its operative position, bend down and slide a pin through the puckered or bulged portion of the skirt 46 directly above the fiat upper surface of the nozzle 30, as shown in Fig. 4. The puckering or bulging will take place because of the difference between the radii of curvature of the surface of the upright 4 and the opposing surface 38 of the nozzle 30. Also, the fiat upper surface of the nozzle 30 permits the use of the nozzle as a guide when marking by means of ordinary tailors chalk is desired.

The embodiment of Figs. 9-11 is similar to that of Figs. 1-6 except as to the means employed for moving the arm 20 between preliminary and operative positions and for producing the pressure which causes the powdered marking material to be forced out against the skirt 46. In the embodiment of Figs. 9-11 the lower end of the tubular arm 20 is provided with ears 48 pivotally mounted at 2! on the fingers I 8 of the ring I0. A plug 50 is positioned within the tube 20 so as to define the bottom of the container 26 in which the mass 28 of powdered marking material is contained, no separate container as in the previously described embodiment being here employed. The open upper end 22 of the tube 20 is closed by cap 28 having a nozzle 30 projecting therefrom and communicating with the interior of the container 26' through passage 32. A tube 52 has one open end entering the container 26' by passing through an appropriate aperture 54 in the wall of the tube 20, the other end of the tube 52 passing through an aperture 56 in the wall 29 below the plug 50 and terminating in a compressible bulb 58 of rubber or the like held in the lower end of the tube 20 between a wall of that tube and a member 60 pivotally mounted within the tube 20 at 62 and urged by spring 64 to move away from the upright 4 to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10. A flexible wire or'string" 66 is secured to the free end of the member 60, passes through a guiding ring 68 mounted on the side of the bracket 10, and then passes through a hollow flexible cable 10, its free end being secured to finger piece 12 slidable with respect to shank 14 secured to the cable 10, the shank l4 having a ring 16 at its end. The cable it extends upwardly a sufiicient distance so that the finger piece 12 and ring Hi can be grasped by the operator while she is in normal standing position. When she pulls the finger piece 12 toward the ring 16, thus pulling the lower end of the wire 66 to the left as viewed in the drawings, the first effect. of that action will be to swing the arm 2!) to its operative position, as shown in Fig. 10, the member 60 still retaining its disclosed position with respect to the arm 20 by reason of the action of the spring 84. After the arm 20 has reached its operative position it can move no more, and any further pulling of the finger piece 12 toward the ring 16 will cause the member 60 to pivot about the axis 62 and against the action of the spring 64 to its position shown in Fig. 11. This in turn will cause the bulb 58 to be compressed, and a jet of air under pressure will be forced into the container 26 through the tube 52, that jet of air gathering up particles of the powdered marking material 28 and ejecting those particles onto the skirt 49 which is clamped against the upright 4 by the nozzle 30.

In the embodiment of Figs. 12 and 13 a bracket Ill is employed consisting of a loop encircling the upright 4 and penetrated by a set screw 11. The structure of the powdered marking material container 26' and the mounting of the arm 2!! on the bracket I0 is substantially the same as in Figs. 9-11 except that the bracket I t is provided with upstanding fingers '19 between which the ears 48 on the arm 28 are mounted. The bracket I0 is also provided with an upstanding finger 18 extending into the open lower end 8| of the tube 20 and terminating in an inclined surface 80 defining an abutment. The tube 52 communicates with an expandible bulb 82 which in turn, through tube 84, communicates with expandible bulb 86, both bulbs being interposed between a wall of the tube 2!! and the abutment surface 80 in such a manner that when the arm 2% is in its preliminary position, as shown in Fig. 12, the bulbs 82 and 86 are in compressed condition. Flexible tube 42, to the free end of which a compressible bulb 44 is secured, extends through aperture 88 in the tube 20 and communicates with the bulb 86. When the embodiment of Figs. 12 and 13 is to be used, the operator need not pull on the tube 42 but need merely compress the bulb 44. The initial compression of the bulb will force air under pressure into the bulb 86 and cause it to expand, thus compressing bulb 82, preventing air from passing into the container 26', and causing the arm 20 to pivot to its operative position. Further compression of the bulb 44 will expand the bulb 32, thus permitting a jet of air to pass through the bulb 82 and into the container 26, marking material being blown onto the skirt 46 through the nozzle passage 32 by that jet of air as previously described.

In the embodiments of Figs. 12 and 13 the bulbs 82 and 86, constituting pressure-expandible members which cause the arm 20 to move from preliminary to operative position, are interposed directly between the manually actuated pressure producing bulb 44 and the pressure actuated marking material blower 24. The embodiment of Figs. 14-17 differs therefrom inthat separate but communicating connections are provided between the manually actuated pressure producing bulb 44 on the one hand and thepressure expandible member 90 which acts to move the arm 2t and the marking material blower 24 on the other hand. The arm 2!) is mounted on the uprights in substantially the same way as in. the embodiments of Figs. 12 and 13 except that only a single expandible bulb 99 is interposed between the abutment surface 86 and a wall of the tube 2! The tube 42 communicates directly'withthe bulb 90, as in the previously described: embodiment. The cap 28" which closes the open upper end 22 of the tube 2:) is provided with a vertical passage 92 through which tube 94 extends, that tube being connected to the tube 42 via tube 96. valve, defined by a ball 98 urged by spring Ifll'ito closed position, is interposed between the tubes 96 and 9 the ball 93 being urged toward the tube 95'so as to remain closed until a predetermined pressure has been built up within the tube 96. Hence when the operator initially compresses the bulb all of the air forced thereby through the tube 42 will at first pass to the bulb 9i! and cause it to expand to the condition shown in Fig. 15,.

thus causing the arm 252 to pivot to operative position. None of this air can. enter the blower container 26 because of the ball valve 98. After the arm 20 has reached its operative position, the bulb 90 cannot expand any further, being restricted by its own resiliency and by the walls of the tube 29. Any further compression of the bulb 44 by the operator will build up the pressure within the tubes 42 and 96 to a degree suiiicient to force the ball valve 98 out of its seat against the action of the spring it, thus permitting a jet of air to enter the blower container 26 and cause powdered marking material to be blown against the skirt 46.

Each of the above described embodiments is readily manipulatable so that a person can provide markings on a skirt or other garment, which markings are accurately positioned with respect to the ground or floor, and this is accomplished while the operator is standing in normal position and without requiring any assistance whatsoever. Indeed, only one hand of the operator need be employed to move the arm from preliminary to operative position, to cause a jet of powdered marking material to be blown onto the skirt, and then to permit the arm to resume its preliminary position, thus leaving the other hand of the operator free for any desired purpose, such as adjusting or holding the position of the garment on her body. The structure of the marking device is such that it facilitates the use of pins for marking purposes, either in conjunction with or in lieu of the powdered marking material, and also permits the use of ordinary tailors chalk for marking.

The marking device may be used to produce marks either on the inner or outer surface of the garment, and if desired the nozzle 30 can be rotated so as to project outwardly from the upright 4 when it is not desired that the fabric or other material be marked or clamped between the nozzle and the upright at the time of marking. The structure involved is exceedingly simple, and the marking device can therefore be made and sold quite inexpensively.

While the invention has been here specifically described as used in the marking of skirts, it will be apparent that it has applicability for use in marking all types of objects. The specific construction of the pressure actuated marking ma- A check terialblower'isnotof the essenceof the-instan invention, and other specific types of blowers could be employed. The'same is the case with respect to the manually actuated pressure producing device atthe free end of the tube 42 in the embodiment of Figs. 1, 12 and 14, the press-ureproducing device positioned between the member 60 and the wallof the tube 20 in the embodiment of Fig. 9, the pressure expandible-members in theembodiments of Figs. 12-17, the manner in which the arm 20 is articulately mounted on the uprighti so as to be movable between preliminary and operative positions, and the other detailed structural elements of the described embodiments.-

Many other detailed changes in the disclosed structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A skirt marker comprising a frame including an upright, an arm articulately mounted on said frame so as to be movable between a pre' liminary position remote from said upright and an operative position close to said support, apressure-actuated marking material blower on said arm and having a nozzle directed toward said upright, and a single elongated means operatively connected to said arm and to said blower and extending upwardly to a position Where it can be grasped by a standing person for moving said arm from preliminary to operative position and for providing pressure to actuate said blower.

2. The skirt marker of claim 1, in which said single means comprises an elongated tube mechanically connected to said arm and communieating with said blower, and a manually actuated pressure producer at the free end of and communicating with said tube.

3. The skirt marker of claim 1, in which said single means comprises an elongated flexible connector secured to said arm, a manually actuatable member at the free end of said connector, means for producing pressure within said blower,

and an operative connection between said manually actuated means and said pressure producing means.

4. A skirt marker comprising a frame including an upright, an arm articulately mounted on "said frame so as to be movable between a pre-' liminary position remote from said upright and an operative position close to said upright, and a pressure-actuated marking material blower on said arm and having a nozzle directed toward said upright and engageable with said upright said upright and engageable with said upright when said arm is in operative position, the side surface'of said upright directed toward said nozzle having a generally arcuate shape and the edge of said nozzle directed toward said upright having a generally arcuate shape, and a single elongated means extending upwardly to a posi-! tion where it can be grasped by a standing permunicating with said tube.

7. The skirt marker of claim 5, in which said single means comprises an elongated flexible pressure-actuated marking material blower on said arm and having a nozzle directed toward said upright, an elongated flexible tube secured to said arm and extending upwardly to a position where it can be grasped by a standing person, the interior of said tube communicating with said blower, and a manually pressible air pressure producing device at the free end of and communicating with the interior of said tube.

9. In the skirt marker of claim 8, an abutment fixed to said frame toward which said arm is moved when in its preliminary position, a pressure-expandible member between said abutment and said arm, and a communicating connection between said pressure producing device and said 11. The skirt marker of claim 9, in which said l pressure producing device communicates separately with said blower and said pressure-expandible member, and in which a normally closed valve adapted to open only when a predetermined pressure has been attained on the side thereof away from said blower is interposed between said blower and said pressure producing device.

1 A skirt marker comprising a frame including an upright, an arm articulately mounted on said frame so as to be movable between a preliminary position remote from said upright and an operative position close to said upright, a pressure-actuated marking material blower on said arm and having a nozzle directed toward said upright and engageable with said upright when said arm is in operative position, the side surface of said upright directed toward said nozzle having a generally arcuate shape and the edge of said nozzle directed toward said upright having a generally arcuate shape, an elongated flexible tube secured to said arm and extending upwardly to a position. where it can be grasped by a standing person, the interior of said tube communicating with said blower, and a manually pressible air pressure producing device at the free end of and communicating with the interior of said tube.

13. In the skirt marker of claim 12, an abutment fixed to said frame toward which said arm is moved when in its preliminary position, a pressur'e-expandible member between said abutment.

and said arm, and a communicating connection between said pressure producing device and said pressure-expandible member.

14. The skirt marker of claim 13, in which said pressure producing device communicates with said blower via said pressure expandible member.

15. The skirt marker of claim 13, in which said pressure producing device communicates separately with said blower and said pressure-expandible member, and in which a normally closed valve adapted to open only when a predetermined pressure has been attained on the side thereof away from said blower is interposed between said blower and said pressure producing device.

16. A skirt marker comprising a frame including an upright, an arm articulately mounted on said frame so as to be movable between a preliminary position remote from said upright and an operative position close to said upright, a stop engaged by said arm as it moves toward said upright so as to limit its motion in that direction, a pressure-actuated marking material blower on said arm and having a nozzle directed toward said upright, a member articulately mounted on said arm, a spring active on said member to move it away from said uprightQan elongated flexible element secured to said member and extending toward said upright, a guide on said frame through which said flexible element passes as it extends toward said upright, a pull on said element causing said arm and said member to move together toward said upright until said arm engages said stop, a further pull on said element causing said member to move with respect to said arm against the action of said spring, a pressure producing device communicating with said blower, and an operative connection between said member and said device whereby said device is actuated to produce pressure when said member is moved toward said upright with respect to said arm against the action of said spring.

17. 'A skirt marker comprising a frame including an upright, an arm articulately mounted on said frame so as to be movable between a preliminary'position remote from said upright and an operative position close to said upright, a stop engaged by said arm as it moves toward said upright so as to limit its motion in that direction, a pressure-actuated marking material blower on said arm and having a nozzle directed toward said upright, a member articulately mounted on said arm, a spring active on said member to move it away from said upright, an elongated flexible element secured to said member and extending toward said upright, a guide on said frame through which said flexible element passes as it extends toward said upright, a pull on said element causing said arm and said member to move together toward said upright until said arm engages said stop, a further pull on said element causing said member to move with respect to said arm against the action of said spring, an abutment in the path of said member as it moves with respect to said arm against the action of said spring, and a compressible pressure producing device interposed between said abutment and said member and communicating with said blower.

18. A skirt marker comprising a frame including an upright, an arm articulately mounted on said frame so as to be movable between a preliminary position remote from said upright and an operative position close to said upright, a

radius of curvature, a member 1 1 stop engaged by said armas it moves toward said upright so as to limit its motion in that direction, a pressure-actuated marking material blower on said arm and having a nozzle directed toward said upright, .a member articulately mounted on said arm a spring active on said member to move it away from said upright, an elongated flexible element secured to said member and ex- 7 tending toward said upright, a guide on .said

frame through which said flexible element passes .as it extends toward said upright, apull on said element causing said arm and said member to move together toward said upright until said arm engages said stop,a further pull .on said ele- V ment causing said member to move-with respect to said arm against the action of said spring, a fixed abutment carried by said armin the path of said member as it moves with respect to said arm against the action of said spring, and a com pressible pressure producing device interposed between said abutment and said member and communicating with said blower.

19. A skirt markercomprising a frame including an upright,an arm articulately mounted on said frame so as to be movable between a preliminary position remote from said upright and an operative position close to said upright, a stop engaged by said arm asit moves toward said upright so as to limit its motion in that direction, a pressure-actuated'marking-materia1 blower on said arm and having a nozzle directed toward said upright and engageable with said upright,

when said arm is in operative position, the side surface of said upright directed toward said nozzle having a generally arcuate. shape and the edge of said nozzle directed towardsaid upright having a generally arcuate shape but with a smaller articulately mounted on said arm, a spring active on said member to move it away from said upright, an elongated flexible element securedto said member andextending'towardrsaid upright, a guide on said frame through which said flexible element passes as it extends toward said upright, a pull on said element causing said-arm andsaid member to move together toward said upright until said arm engages saidstop, a further pull on said element causing said member to move liminary position remote from said upright and an operative positionclose to said upright, means for moving said arm from preliminary to operative position, a pressure-actuated markingmaterialblower on;said arm and having a nozzle directed toward said upright, means communicating therewith for providing said pressuregan elongated member extending upwardly from said I marker'to a position where it can be grasped by asta-nding person and there carrying a manually actuated member, and operative connections between said manually actuated member and said means communicating with said blower and said arm-moving'means for actuating both of the latter elements for each single actuation of said manually actuated member.

21. The skirt marker of claim 20, in which said arm moving meansis'actuated before said means communicating with said blower is actuated.

References Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,030,951 Walton July 2, 1912 1,200,727 Hogan Oct. 10, 1916 1,294,117 Kottman Feb. 11, 1919 1,979,789 Barrett Nov. 6, 1934 2,532,298 Goldstein Dec. 5, 1950 2,584,929 Sewell Feb. 5', 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date France July 29, 1916 

